Arjo Atayde didn’t set out to become an action star. But after his lead role in “Topakk,” he’s being called just that.
Although he appreciates the acknowledgement, he maintained, “Every role, I just try my best. Wala naman ako gustong patunayan or anything.”
The film, a psychological action thriller, pushed him in new ways.
“I just want to try things I haven’t done before,” Arjo added. “As actors, we tend to get boxed up easily—leading man, villain—but I don’t want to repeat a role. My rule as an actor is to grow, to explore, and to know what my limitations are.”
That desire to push boundaries also led to the creation of Nathan Studios, the production company led by his mother, veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez, and sister, actress Ria Atayde.
The company was born out of long conversations about the kind of stories they wanted to see—and a shared realization that they would have to create them themselves.
“We’re always talking between ourselves about the kinds of stories we want to see,” he said. “Eventually we realized there are things we’d just have to do ourselves if we wanted them to happen.”
Through Nathan Studios, the Ataydes are aiming to elevate Filipino storytelling. They’re developing a superhero film built around Arnis, the traditional Filipino martial art, and are expanding into international co-productions.
“Our culture has so much heart,” Arjo said. “We’re very sensitive and family-oriented as a people, so I’m sure there are many stories we could bring to the world.”
That same sense of purpose carries into his public service.
In 2022, Arjo was elected representative of Quezon City’s First District. Now in his second term, he’s focused on writing and supporting legislation that protects workers, strengthens consumer rights, and improves healthcare access.
He has backed the Eddie Garcia Act, which seeks better working conditions in the entertainment industry; the Internet Transactions Act, which safeguards online buyers and sellers; and the New Government Procurement Act, which promotes transparency. He has also pushed for laws benefiting overseas workers and farmers.
Earlier this month, Arjo took his oath for a second term before Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan. In his remarks, he emphasized the weight of the responsibility.
“Ang ating panunumpa ay hindi lamang isang simpleng seremonya, kundi isang makabuluhang pagpapahayag ng ating pananagutan at paninindigan,” he said. “Batid ko ang bigat ng responsibilidad… kaya’t buong puso kong ipinapangako na ipagpapatuloy natin ang mga nasimulan.”
He closed with a reminder of his office’s ongoing mission: “Tuloy-tuloy po ang Aksyon Agad sa ating distrito.”
For Arjo, it seems, there’s no need to separate the roles. Whether in front of the camera as actor or in a government session as lawmaker, he continues to frame his work around action: decisive, deliberate, and grounded in purpose.
